I'd forgotten about my post on here and it's been a while so I thought I'd update you all and I'd also like to offer thanks to all those who gave me advice. The situation has now been resolved, without the need for the courts to become involved. I signed and returned my reprimand form, along with a letter to Merseyrail explaining my situation and apologising unreservedly for any offense caused. I've since received a letter in return, stating that Merseyrail were satisfied with my response and would not be taking the matter any further. They also agreed to waive the £50 Admin fee. Once again, I'd like to thank all those who took the time to offer me advice. It was very much appreciated.

Since my original post, I've today recieved a letter from Merseyrail (dated 06/04/2010), giving me two weeks to pay an "Administrative Penalty" of £50 and accept a reprimand or be charged/summonsed with the offence of: As I'm a student who is unable to find employment at the moment, I can't afford to pay this. Is there anything that I can do now or should I seek legal representation and await a court summons and put my case before a magistrate?

Unless they removed them before approaching me, I didn't see either officer with a camera.

Thank you for your reply. Are there any members you could recommend? I'm new to this site so I'm rather unfamiliar with it. There were two passengers sitting next to me who witnessed the whole thing but I didn't have time to ask their names and contact details otherwise I would have missed my connecting train.

Yesterday I was on a Merseyrail train and I had my foot resting on the seat frame (a white metal bar), to the left of the seat opposite me. I was then approached by two officials wearing Merseyrail jackets (although they didn't tell me their names or offer any ID) who asked me to remove my feet and provide my ticket, which I did immediately. I was then asked if I was aware that I had broken a railway byelaw, I wasn't and I very quickly apologised. One of the officials then proceeded to caution me (at this point, I asked if I should have a solicitor present. I was told "No, you don't need a solicitor"), asked for my name and address, wrote down a description of me and asked me to sign something in his notebook. I was then told that I would be sent a letter within 3-4 weeks and that I may receive a court summons to appear before a magistrate. It is the magistrate part that worries me the most though. I want to go to university after college and study nursing but a criminal record could severely jeopardize this. Is there anyway I can stop this from escalating before it gets out of hand? I now realise that I shouldn't have done what I did, but surely the threat of criminal prosecution is completely disproportionate?